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Comparing Traditional and Studio Courses through FCI Gains and Losses

written by
Jacquelyn J. Chini and
Jarrad W. T. Pond

We analyze data from over 5500 students, spanning multiple semesters and instructors within a single institution, to explore how Gains and Losses in Force Concept Inventory scores vary between instructional approaches, including traditional lecture/laboratory courses, lecture-supported "mini-studio" and studio courses. We observe that the trend for Gain to increase and Loss to decrease with increasing pre-test score, initially observed across institutions, extends to individual student effects within an institution. The correlations between pre-test score and Gain/Loss were least pronounced for more minimally guided instructional strategies, such as studio. Additionally, we find similar or improved Gains and Losses for studio-type courses compared to traditional courses. These trends argue against the claim that novices require strongly guided instruction.

Physics Education Research Conference 2014
Part of the PER Conference series
Minneapolis, MN:
July 30-31, 2014
Pages 51-54

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